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Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2552, 17 November 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Church of England expended during the three years which ended in 188G, about £4,200,000 in church building and church extension. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is com. ing to tho front as a powerful disinfectant, that can be relied upon as yieldius,'better results than the popular and almost universally used carbolic acid, in addition to the smell being infinitely more pleasant. In fact, the perfume of peppermint is quite agreeable and refreshing, and when it can bo purchased at a reason., able cost of any chemist, it should supersede carbolic acid in sick rooms, hospitals, and other places where disinfectants require to be used. The Lancet lately chronicled some experiments with peppermint. After laborious reeem-ch, and as the result of many trials, it has been found that of all substances and chemicals yet discovered there is nothing known more fatal to bacterial germs of diseases, etc., than (Mentha piperita). It is found that one three-hundredth-thousandth part of menthol is sufficient to destroy the bacterial germs. This fact, should be sufficient to establish the popularity of peppermint. Prom a letter written by Mr Holmes, F.L S. of the Pharmaceutical Society, the home of the " true plant has been discovered to be Japau, though it i< largely distributed throughout Europe, America, and other countries. Mr Thomas Christy writes that Mr J. W. Colcord, of the Pharmaceutical Society of Massachusetts, U.S.A., had told - him that peppermint- withstood 10 : d«g. below zero of frost; this will prove that the plant is a hardy one. Some correspondents had also told him lint they had tried the menthol by pouring " hot water upou the foliage, and drinking ■ the infusion in the hottest weather. They experienced great relief to their falicue, - and it was as refreshing as tea, and they ■' thought it more stimulating. Medical .'' men will no doubt welcome peppermint"' as a much more agreeable disinfectant .-. than .-vubnlii: ru-.id, upon whi'ih of lata • * yews Uioy iuiva «o much relied, ,j